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The Dream and the Muse
AMAZON BESTSELLER (Teen & YA Literary Fiction)
A cosmic adventure about the boundless power of a young woman’s potential.
When Madarena first meets the old rogue Apophax, she assumes she’s dreaming. After all, he wears a coat made of hedgehog quills, changes size at will, and treats the laws of physics as merely suggested guidelines. Very quickly, she learns she’s stepped into a world where dreams and reality intersect. Dangerously.
Now, she’s an accomplice in the wily thief’s master plan to rescue a Muse from one of the most powerful beings in existence. The unlikely duo schemes their way from a town made of moonbeams to the fog-shrouded land of the dead. They fence with nightmares and bargain with witches amid the asteroid remains of a shattered planet. Along the way, Madarena learns that potential is more than a word. Rescuing the Muse—and Madarena’s own survival—depend on harnessing all the women she can be.
A cosmic adventure about the boundless power of a young woman’s potential.
When Madarena first meets the old rogue Apophax, she assumes she’s dreaming. After all, he wears a coat made of hedgehog quills, changes size at will, and treats the laws of physics as merely suggested guidelines. Very quickly, she learns she’s stepped into a world where dreams and reality intersect. Dangerously.
Now, she’s an accomplice in the wily thief’s master plan to rescue a Muse from one of the most powerful beings in existence. The unlikely duo schemes their way from a town made of moonbeams to the fog-shrouded land of the dead. They fence with nightmares and bargain with witches amid the asteroid remains of a shattered planet. Along the way, Madarena learns that potential is more than a word. Rescuing the Muse—and Madarena’s own survival—depend on harnessing all the women she can be.
300 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2021
2 people are currently reading
3059 people want to read
About the author
Jake Burnett
4 books87 followersJake Burnett grew up in seven countries on four continents and now lives in North Carolina with his wife and two full-time career dogs. When he’s not creating stories or tormenting his friends in tabletop RPGs, his ego keeps writing checks his body can’t cash by careening down wilderness trails or trying to move heavy things way too fast. Look for his latest novel The Witch & the City out now!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 7, 2021
This is a super quick read and very bizarre
I had and have a ton of questions!
3 stars for creativity and tying in so much Greek mythology
RTC
I had and have a ton of questions!
3 stars for creativity and tying in so much Greek mythology
RTC
January 27, 2021
From the author of The Chaos Court, which quickly ranked in my middle schooler's all time favorite books, comes a new adventure that is both thoughtful and a joy to read. Burnett's creativity is boundless, from Apophax's transformative, many pocketed coat to Mouldywarp’s lip sewing dragonfly. Each character, so colorful and unique, brings forth wonderous images for the reader. But best of all is the clever, cunning Madarena who is a most remarkable heroine. The story leads the reader on Madarena and Apophax’s fantasifull, cosmic adventure as Maderena finds, like all of us who care to go looking, that one’s potential is limitless. One just needs to be brave enough to take the journey. After all, who wouldn’t follow a gruff but undeniably charming hedgehog type of fellow to worlds inhabited by those who collect wasted time or to a moonlit staircase leading us to the undead. There are so many characters and worlds introduced that I can hardly wait to see where Madarena takes us next in the many worlds she can inhabit.
June 1, 2021
This is one of those rare books that capture your mind, attention, thoughts, and heart right from the very first chapter.
We follow Maderena Rua, a young girl who wears a cloak of potential and carries a trunk of words in her mind. This book gives off a lot of "Alice in Wonderland" vibes in the sense that the world that Jake Burnett has created is absolutely bizarre. It definitely has a magical feel to it, just like "Alice in Wonderland", but I think that is where all the similarities end.
What really stood out for me was the characters. Usually in books that toe the line between middle grade and YA, the protagonist and some selected side characters are the only ones worth remembering, but in this book, I must say that each and every character, whether their role ended only after a single dialogue or just a run-into in a random scene, each and every character was so well fleshed out and thoughtfully created, that you can't help but remember them all. Starting from zombie kids, to lip-sewing dragonflies, to talking chalks, metallic whirring characters with lots of springs - everyone had a role in the story. There was not a single moment that felt unnecessary or irrelevant. Every scene furthered the plot and had a purpose.
Maderena was a curiously unusual character, whose favorite pastime was going through new words in the dictionary. She has a penchant for adventure and a phobia of boredom. Clever, smart, and witty, I promise she will not bore you at all, and might even make laugh out loud. However, there is one thing that immediately brought down the rating for me by one star, and that is when I read Maderena is "not like other people."
I loved the constant bickering between Maderena and her mentor/accomplice/not-really-a-friend - Apophax, who is an old Dream burdened with sorrow, in search of his Muse, who was stolen from him in a treacherous moment of misplaced faith.
The ending got me chewing on my nails, but I really wished this was a series and not a stand-alone because the world that Burnett has created has so much potential. The pacing of the story was medium to fast, but it definitely doesn't bore you. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you are right by Maderena, discovering the world through her eyes.
This brings me to one of the most interesting and bold aspects of the book and that is the language. Honestly, the story could easily fit into the middle-grade category, if not for the language. The writing style is not hard to follow, but it isn't easy either. It took me a while to get used to the way that it's written, and it kind of reminded me of children's classics (yes, Alice in Wonderland to be specific). And the author uses really difficult, uncommon, and new words which made it really hard for me to keep up.
Overall, the book was a magical bundle of words, characters, and an amazing whimsical world. I would definitely love to read more from this author in the future!
We follow Maderena Rua, a young girl who wears a cloak of potential and carries a trunk of words in her mind. This book gives off a lot of "Alice in Wonderland" vibes in the sense that the world that Jake Burnett has created is absolutely bizarre. It definitely has a magical feel to it, just like "Alice in Wonderland", but I think that is where all the similarities end.
What really stood out for me was the characters. Usually in books that toe the line between middle grade and YA, the protagonist and some selected side characters are the only ones worth remembering, but in this book, I must say that each and every character, whether their role ended only after a single dialogue or just a run-into in a random scene, each and every character was so well fleshed out and thoughtfully created, that you can't help but remember them all. Starting from zombie kids, to lip-sewing dragonflies, to talking chalks, metallic whirring characters with lots of springs - everyone had a role in the story. There was not a single moment that felt unnecessary or irrelevant. Every scene furthered the plot and had a purpose.
Maderena was a curiously unusual character, whose favorite pastime was going through new words in the dictionary. She has a penchant for adventure and a phobia of boredom. Clever, smart, and witty, I promise she will not bore you at all, and might even make laugh out loud. However, there is one thing that immediately brought down the rating for me by one star, and that is when I read Maderena is "not like other people."
I loved the constant bickering between Maderena and her mentor/accomplice/not-really-a-friend - Apophax, who is an old Dream burdened with sorrow, in search of his Muse, who was stolen from him in a treacherous moment of misplaced faith.
The ending got me chewing on my nails, but I really wished this was a series and not a stand-alone because the world that Burnett has created has so much potential. The pacing of the story was medium to fast, but it definitely doesn't bore you. The vivid descriptions make you feel like you are right by Maderena, discovering the world through her eyes.
This brings me to one of the most interesting and bold aspects of the book and that is the language. Honestly, the story could easily fit into the middle-grade category, if not for the language. The writing style is not hard to follow, but it isn't easy either. It took me a while to get used to the way that it's written, and it kind of reminded me of children's classics (yes, Alice in Wonderland to be specific). And the author uses really difficult, uncommon, and new words which made it really hard for me to keep up.
Overall, the book was a magical bundle of words, characters, and an amazing whimsical world. I would definitely love to read more from this author in the future!
April 23, 2021
This was truly a fantastic read. It is creative, intriguing, and unique story that captivated my attention. I enjoyed this book especially because it reminded me of books I loved as a younger reader with its Alice in Wonderland or A Wrinkle in Time attributes. The journey Magdalena Rua takes with her accomplice is exhilarating and fun. I couldn’t say more positive things about this story.
February 4, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of The Dream and the Muse in exchange for an honest review.
This book is definitely very heavily Through the Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There inspired (to the point where I'm pretty sure its outright referenced a few times) and that's a very, very, intimidating thing to try and pull off. I think the main issue here was the fact that it tries to do the 'a lot of weird things happen but the plot is more of a chaotic squiggle then a line' thing from Alice, but also focuses on an overarching plot at the same time. The combination of the two make this seem less whimsical, more confusing and poorly paced.
This book is definitely very heavily Through the Looking-Glass And What Alice Found There inspired (to the point where I'm pretty sure its outright referenced a few times) and that's a very, very, intimidating thing to try and pull off. I think the main issue here was the fact that it tries to do the 'a lot of weird things happen but the plot is more of a chaotic squiggle then a line' thing from Alice, but also focuses on an overarching plot at the same time. The combination of the two make this seem less whimsical, more confusing and poorly paced.
April 30, 2021
I asked for an ARC of this book for free on BookSirens. A big thank you to the author for approving my request.
There's no denying that The Dream and the Muse is a beautiful book, from its enchanting cover to the author's writing and imagination. I honestly thought when I asked for an ARC of this novel that I would love it. While it's not the case, I did like it and think many will enjoy it far more than I did, so I highly suggest to read it if you're interested in its synopsis to find out for yourself.
Many reviewers already mentioned that this book has strong Alice Through the Looking-Glass vibes, and everyone who knows me also knows how much I love Alice. There's also something reminiscing of Neil Gaiman, an author I love. It could have been amazing, but I felt that this was too huge for this story, that I was reading a book trying to pull off something it couldn't quite achieve like others. It's not the sign of a bad author. It's the sign of an author with (in my opinion) a lot of ideas and imagination, with great influences from literature, who's struggling to find the right tone, the right pacing, the right plot, maybe even to find what they're trying to achieve. I could be wrong, of course - this is only what I felt while reading this ARC.
I did enjoy this book, I still found it interesting despite its flaws, and I believe it will find its audience.
The Dream and the Muse will be released on April 27, 2021.
There's no denying that The Dream and the Muse is a beautiful book, from its enchanting cover to the author's writing and imagination. I honestly thought when I asked for an ARC of this novel that I would love it. While it's not the case, I did like it and think many will enjoy it far more than I did, so I highly suggest to read it if you're interested in its synopsis to find out for yourself.
Many reviewers already mentioned that this book has strong Alice Through the Looking-Glass vibes, and everyone who knows me also knows how much I love Alice. There's also something reminiscing of Neil Gaiman, an author I love. It could have been amazing, but I felt that this was too huge for this story, that I was reading a book trying to pull off something it couldn't quite achieve like others. It's not the sign of a bad author. It's the sign of an author with (in my opinion) a lot of ideas and imagination, with great influences from literature, who's struggling to find the right tone, the right pacing, the right plot, maybe even to find what they're trying to achieve. I could be wrong, of course - this is only what I felt while reading this ARC.
I did enjoy this book, I still found it interesting despite its flaws, and I believe it will find its audience.
The Dream and the Muse will be released on April 27, 2021.
January 27, 2021
A delightful and original portal fantasy with a heroine who is not in any way conventional, in the process of discovering her potential.
Her mentor is an out-and-out rogue, but his caper turns out to be laudable. The whole thing is pretty much an ode to chaotic good.
Along the way, the characters visit a number of different worlds, including one where everyone is some kind of undead, a shattered planet where witches can each have their own asteroid, and a bastion of lawfulness/awfulness. Thirteen worlds are connected by a nexus, but we only hear about half a dozen by name, so there's scope for more adventures in this universe. The different worlds only really have one idea each - there's not much depth to them - but they're fun anyway.
The heroine's exploits are ingenious, her character is appealing, and all in all it's a good ride.
I received a copy via Netgalley for review.
Her mentor is an out-and-out rogue, but his caper turns out to be laudable. The whole thing is pretty much an ode to chaotic good.
Along the way, the characters visit a number of different worlds, including one where everyone is some kind of undead, a shattered planet where witches can each have their own asteroid, and a bastion of lawfulness/awfulness. Thirteen worlds are connected by a nexus, but we only hear about half a dozen by name, so there's scope for more adventures in this universe. The different worlds only really have one idea each - there's not much depth to them - but they're fun anyway.
The heroine's exploits are ingenious, her character is appealing, and all in all it's a good ride.
I received a copy via Netgalley for review.
February 6, 2021
A charming Alice in Wonderland type novel, sprinkled with a little of Kafka's Trial, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman' Neverwhere and the Ghibli's anime the Cat Returns. We are plunged into a strange world, that ends up making a lot more sense than initially thoughts. It is a great dive into the absurd dream scape with darker tones. Interesting if you like that type of work, it has a timeless quality.
February 17, 2021
It was a fun and easy to read story. I flew through the book. Once i started i coudn't stop anymore. But don't be fooled, this is a heavy story that will make you think about live. The story has a wonderfull fmc and each character she meets is amazing in their own way.
April 27, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow, talk about an eccentric trip! The story is very reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, with an internal logic all its own that the reader discovers along with the main character. Don’t expect to understand everything with a first read.
The characters are a joy to spend time with. The author has a deep appreciation for words and the manner in which they interact and it shows. Deliberate word choice is abound here and it pays off exponentially well.
All in all, if you’re a fan of journey stories into the unknown with new and curious settings with a deeper message of what-might-be this is a definite must read.
Wow, talk about an eccentric trip! The story is very reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, with an internal logic all its own that the reader discovers along with the main character. Don’t expect to understand everything with a first read.
The characters are a joy to spend time with. The author has a deep appreciation for words and the manner in which they interact and it shows. Deliberate word choice is abound here and it pays off exponentially well.
All in all, if you’re a fan of journey stories into the unknown with new and curious settings with a deeper message of what-might-be this is a definite must read.
April 14, 2021
The Dream and the Muse by Jake Burnett - 5/5 stars
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
This book was slow to start, meandering quite a bit before reaching it's main plot. It was also very quick to finish, with most of the plot's loose ends tying up within the last few pages. That being said, I thouroughly enjoyed the story, characters, and, most of all, the worlds in which the story tool places. The setting of this story really is it's strongest point and I would jump at the opportunity to read other tales in these lands. The end of the book really does a wonderful job of setting up the potential to expand into a larger story and I hope very much there is more story to come of Madarena and Apophax.
I read a large range of age ranges and this feels to me to be mostly aimed at older middle grade or younger YA readers with lots of advanced vocabulary thrown in for the educational opportunity. Not at all a bad thing, just something I haven't experienced in a book before that being said, I was very happy I got my Kindle before starting this book in earnest, as the dictionary feature was heavily utilized.
I'd definitely recommend this book to those who love fantasy and sci-fi with very intricate, but very soft magic systems. As I said previously, while the pacing is a little off for my taste, I wouldn't hesitate at all to read the next book in the series if one is developed.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
This book was slow to start, meandering quite a bit before reaching it's main plot. It was also very quick to finish, with most of the plot's loose ends tying up within the last few pages. That being said, I thouroughly enjoyed the story, characters, and, most of all, the worlds in which the story tool places. The setting of this story really is it's strongest point and I would jump at the opportunity to read other tales in these lands. The end of the book really does a wonderful job of setting up the potential to expand into a larger story and I hope very much there is more story to come of Madarena and Apophax.
I read a large range of age ranges and this feels to me to be mostly aimed at older middle grade or younger YA readers with lots of advanced vocabulary thrown in for the educational opportunity. Not at all a bad thing, just something I haven't experienced in a book before that being said, I was very happy I got my Kindle before starting this book in earnest, as the dictionary feature was heavily utilized.
I'd definitely recommend this book to those who love fantasy and sci-fi with very intricate, but very soft magic systems. As I said previously, while the pacing is a little off for my taste, I wouldn't hesitate at all to read the next book in the series if one is developed.
March 4, 2021
I could not have loved this book more. It's quite beautiful, imaginative, poetic, and everything is written with so much feeling. I almost thought I would put it down after chapter 2, but then realized an hour later that I couldn't stop reading it. Absolutely marvelous.
April 8, 2021
What a fantastic book! Pleaseee tell me this is going to be a Hitchhiker’s-Guide-to-The-Galaxy-esque series?!
The characters are bonkers, magical and larger than life. Utterly fabulous!
The story gave me Discworld, Neverwhere, and Alice in Wonderland vibes!
I’m off to read The Chaos Court!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are bonkers, magical and larger than life. Utterly fabulous!
The story gave me Discworld, Neverwhere, and Alice in Wonderland vibes!
I’m off to read The Chaos Court!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 28, 2021
A beautifully written novella with a lot of potential for expansion into a series. Ancient mythology and concepts are woven into a narrative in which a young girl, who has always felt out of place, discovers just what she is capable of doing and being, and what the universe beyond her family has to offer.
The central character is deftly drawn, as are other figures which dodge in and out of the narrative. Some really intriguing elements are used and there is an impressive level of suspense. The language is at times intoxicatingly beautiful. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a basic grasp of Greek/Roman mythology or just a sense of adventure. At times it reminded me strongly of The Game, by Diana Wynne Jones, which I would consider high praise indeed.
I felt the ending was a teeny bit flat, after all the adventures, in particular its handling of the relationship with the parents, which to some extent avoided a central issue. That said, the heroine was very engaging, her dilemmas believable and her future plansleft the reader wanting to know more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The central character is deftly drawn, as are other figures which dodge in and out of the narrative. Some really intriguing elements are used and there is an impressive level of suspense. The language is at times intoxicatingly beautiful. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a basic grasp of Greek/Roman mythology or just a sense of adventure. At times it reminded me strongly of The Game, by Diana Wynne Jones, which I would consider high praise indeed.
I felt the ending was a teeny bit flat, after all the adventures, in particular its handling of the relationship with the parents, which to some extent avoided a central issue. That said, the heroine was very engaging, her dilemmas believable and her future plansleft the reader wanting to know more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2021
Well, this book was a lot of fun! I love Alice in Wonderland, one of my all time favorite stories, and this book made me think of it so much!
This book is about a girl, Madarena, who stumbles upon an odd man, Apophax, who is called a dream and she(unfortunately) becomes a part of his Plan to rescue his love, the Muse. And while executing the plan, many different things occur, and nothing ever really goes as planned. The pacing and plot of this book may seem a little all over the place, but to me, it made sense. It made me think of a dream, and dreams never truly make sense.
I really enjoyed this book! I had a lot of fun reading it, especially with the use of unusual words. I loved Madarena’s witty use of words, especially imprecation 😂 I about died laughing after reading how Madarena used that word! Madarena was a very feisty and smart girl. A lot of things did NOT go her way, but she always handled it well and basically went with the flow. I really liked her a lot and the dynamic between her and Apophax, they’re like the perfect con partners.
I think the worlds and the people in the worlds made me think of Alice in Wonderland the most. There were so many unique features of the worlds and the people, a lot like Wonderland. I would have loved to read more in depth about both, especially some side characters! It also would have been nice to have more of a beginning to learn more about who Madarena is and her life, instead of just immediately jumping into the adventure from literally the beginning.
I highly recommend this book, though, especially if you love Alice in Wonderland 😊 Thank you to BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this ebook for an honest review.
This book is about a girl, Madarena, who stumbles upon an odd man, Apophax, who is called a dream and she(unfortunately) becomes a part of his Plan to rescue his love, the Muse. And while executing the plan, many different things occur, and nothing ever really goes as planned. The pacing and plot of this book may seem a little all over the place, but to me, it made sense. It made me think of a dream, and dreams never truly make sense.
I really enjoyed this book! I had a lot of fun reading it, especially with the use of unusual words. I loved Madarena’s witty use of words, especially imprecation 😂 I about died laughing after reading how Madarena used that word! Madarena was a very feisty and smart girl. A lot of things did NOT go her way, but she always handled it well and basically went with the flow. I really liked her a lot and the dynamic between her and Apophax, they’re like the perfect con partners.
I think the worlds and the people in the worlds made me think of Alice in Wonderland the most. There were so many unique features of the worlds and the people, a lot like Wonderland. I would have loved to read more in depth about both, especially some side characters! It also would have been nice to have more of a beginning to learn more about who Madarena is and her life, instead of just immediately jumping into the adventure from literally the beginning.
I highly recommend this book, though, especially if you love Alice in Wonderland 😊 Thank you to BookSirens and the author for a free copy of this ebook for an honest review.
January 27, 2021
DNF at 27%
To be honest, I did not have high expectations for this. It sounded like a pretty basic middle grade.
I was bored from the beginning, pretty much. The intrigue was just not there. I was hoping that it would get better further into the book. It did not.
I was also quite confused. Not a lot was explained, not about the main character or the setting. I still don't know what age category this book goes under.
There was nothing wrong about the writing style or anything like that. The writing was straightforward and easy to read, which I prefer over a more flowery writing style.
I think this book would be a easy fix. Just go back to the gbeginning of the book and add more details about almost everything (main characters age, setting, a bit of a backstory, osv)
To be honest, I did not have high expectations for this. It sounded like a pretty basic middle grade.
I was bored from the beginning, pretty much. The intrigue was just not there. I was hoping that it would get better further into the book. It did not.
I was also quite confused. Not a lot was explained, not about the main character or the setting. I still don't know what age category this book goes under.
There was nothing wrong about the writing style or anything like that. The writing was straightforward and easy to read, which I prefer over a more flowery writing style.
I think this book would be a easy fix. Just go back to the gbeginning of the book and add more details about almost everything (main characters age, setting, a bit of a backstory, osv)
December 28, 2022
Fun, fantastical, and imaginative! Loved it!
August 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I won it on GoodReads giveaway It was a little weird but that’s what made it good.
August 1, 2025
When the author of The Witch & the City invited me to review one of his earlier works, I immediately took the chance.
With Burnett’s trademark style of lush vocabulary and clockwork worldbuilding, dashes of recreated folklore, the trope subversion of an “ordinary” YA protagonist into something far more inspiring, and the book featuring a “mutual shenanigan thievery weird uncle/sassy crime accessory who he can't shake" relationship rather than a central romantic one, The Dream and the Muse has a lot going for it as a fairytale for grown-ups.
Of course, I’m not completely fond of mixing very specific mythological creatures into the unique, folklore-inspired blend. Anubis feels a bit out of place, when one of Burnett’s own inventions might have fit the natural weave of the story much better.
And after the great Quest for the Muse throughout most of the book, I couldn’t help feeling that plot line wasn’t resolved as satisfactorily as it could have been. Things were just a little too rushed after all that waiting.
So while it was a pleasure to read another Burnett book, I’m left with mixed feelings about this one.
Full review for the curious: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2025/....
With Burnett’s trademark style of lush vocabulary and clockwork worldbuilding, dashes of recreated folklore, the trope subversion of an “ordinary” YA protagonist into something far more inspiring, and the book featuring a “mutual shenanigan thievery weird uncle/sassy crime accessory who he can't shake" relationship rather than a central romantic one, The Dream and the Muse has a lot going for it as a fairytale for grown-ups.
Of course, I’m not completely fond of mixing very specific mythological creatures into the unique, folklore-inspired blend. Anubis feels a bit out of place, when one of Burnett’s own inventions might have fit the natural weave of the story much better.
And after the great Quest for the Muse throughout most of the book, I couldn’t help feeling that plot line wasn’t resolved as satisfactorily as it could have been. Things were just a little too rushed after all that waiting.
So while it was a pleasure to read another Burnett book, I’m left with mixed feelings about this one.
Full review for the curious: https://bookmarkedone.home.blog/2025/....
February 22, 2021
Odd and delightfully whimsical is the best way to sum up this read. A little bit Alice in Wonderland meets His Infernal Devices; The Dream and the Muse focuses on the division between adolescent rebellion versus independence.
Though it claims to ride the border of Teen and Young Adult, I would definitely put this novel more so in the Teen category if not younger. Its language is complex only in an arbitrary way that is based more so on entertaining and sounding odd than it is in actively attempting to describe the events of the narrative successfully. In that regard, The Dream and the Muse is very whimsical, perhaps a little too much at times, but it is still fun nonetheless.
The only real definitive theme it captures at an adult level is the realization that knowledge of self isn’t something gained with age, but something inherent. And that’s about as lightly and vaguely as I can put it without spoiling anything.
Overall, The Dream and the Muse was a lovely, short read with an interesting concept, great imagination, and an endearing cast of characters. I would certainly recommend it to fans of portal fantasy
Though it claims to ride the border of Teen and Young Adult, I would definitely put this novel more so in the Teen category if not younger. Its language is complex only in an arbitrary way that is based more so on entertaining and sounding odd than it is in actively attempting to describe the events of the narrative successfully. In that regard, The Dream and the Muse is very whimsical, perhaps a little too much at times, but it is still fun nonetheless.
The only real definitive theme it captures at an adult level is the realization that knowledge of self isn’t something gained with age, but something inherent. And that’s about as lightly and vaguely as I can put it without spoiling anything.
Overall, The Dream and the Muse was a lovely, short read with an interesting concept, great imagination, and an endearing cast of characters. I would certainly recommend it to fans of portal fantasy
February 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this novel. It was very light and fluffy, and I needed that. I'm in college courses, and having a light and not long read was so nice. It was a commitment but not one that required too much brain power to get through.
The reasons I gave it three stars out of five is because I feel like the characters and the setting were very two dimensional. They didn't pop out at me. I did like the plot, but more development would have been so nice to see.
I recommend this book for lovers of other universes and if you are looking for a bit more "Time."
**I received a copy of this for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
The reasons I gave it three stars out of five is because I feel like the characters and the setting were very two dimensional. They didn't pop out at me. I did like the plot, but more development would have been so nice to see.
I recommend this book for lovers of other universes and if you are looking for a bit more "Time."
**I received a copy of this for free, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
March 4, 2021
I had very mixed feelings about this book. Don't get me wrong, it was enjoyable to read, fanciful, lots of adventure and interesting world-building. I personally thought that this author was amazingly creative with her writing and really liked how she described certain characters and objects. This story was definitely unique and not like anything I've ever read in my life. (Kind of gave me Alice and wonderland vibes at points).
As creative and unique as this story was, I personally thought it was a bit too much at times. Still, though, lovely read, and would suggest it.
As creative and unique as this story was, I personally thought it was a bit too much at times. Still, though, lovely read, and would suggest it.
February 6, 2021
This story was trying very hard to be...something. I got vague Alice in wonderland vibes, but they didn't quite hit the mark.
Unfortunately I just wasn’t given any reason to care about the main character.
Just not the book for me.
*This eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately I just wasn’t given any reason to care about the main character.
Just not the book for me.
*This eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
dnf
March 8, 2021Thanks Netgalley for the eArc of this book.
I gave it a try but I couldn't go through after a few pages because of the words used. English is not my first language so there are usually some words that I don't know but there were so many it was difficult to read. And I know that there is dictionary or I could look them up but I wouldn't be in the story fully to enjoy it.
I gave it a try but I couldn't go through after a few pages because of the words used. English is not my first language so there are usually some words that I don't know but there were so many it was difficult to read. And I know that there is dictionary or I could look them up but I wouldn't be in the story fully to enjoy it.
May 4, 2021
Look for my full review in School Library Journal online.
This novel is a highly imaginative and well written adventure of what can happen when dreams and reality collide in a story reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A Wrinkle in Time and a healthy dose of Greek mythology.
This was a fun and unique fast paced read.
This novel is a highly imaginative and well written adventure of what can happen when dreams and reality collide in a story reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, A Wrinkle in Time and a healthy dose of Greek mythology.
This was a fun and unique fast paced read.
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